HC Deb 13 March 1931 vol 249 c1552W
Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the total establishment of medical officers in the Air Force and the shortage of regular medical officers on the establishment in each year since the War?

Mr. MONTAGUE

The following table shows the figures required in respect of the years for which statistics are available:

Medical Officers, Royal Air Force.
Year. Establishment. Deficiency.
1920 … … 142 29
1921 … … 141 50
1922 … … 177 55
1923 … … 197 65
1924 … … 213 68
1925 … … 219 70
1926 … … 210 51
1927 … … 204 40
1928 … … 204 26
1929 … … 205 28
1930 … … 210 39
1931 … … 210 46

These deficiencies of regular officers have been made good to a substantial degree by the engagement of doctors on contract, either on a commissioned or on a civilian basis.